AN INDEFENSIBLE PROCEEDING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6736, 17 September 1883, Page 3

AN INDEFENSIBLE PROCEEDING.

Tho following telegrom from Patea, dated 14th inst,, appears in the Lyttelton Times :— A case was heard to-day in the Resident Magistrate's Court under the following circum-stances:-On the morning of August 8a bailiff proceeded with a distress warrant to Pakaraka (a Native village 24 miles south of here, but out of the Patea magisterial district) against two Maoris—Wairu Te Angina and Mohi Tapepa—for a debt of £40 due to Williams Brothers, of Patea. On arriving the bailiff appointed the two plaintiffs his assistants, broke down the fences, and began to sell all the cattle, buggies, &c. they could lay hands on, irrespective of ownership. The plaintiffs were the only buyers, and bought about £250 worth of Native property for £30— a'buggy £!), horseß £5, dray £4. The salo Wa3 advertised for the township of Waitotara, but was held at the Native village. The Maoris protested and refused to give possession. Williams therefore brought an action for obstructing the bailiff, but a policeman who accompanied the bailiff said there was no breach of the peace. In cross-examination Williams admitted tha sale was a farce. The bailiff hesitated, and, in reply to tho Bench, Baid .he considered the Maori property common, and that he had a right to seize anything iv the village. The Magistrate declined to hear the defe..ce, reprimanded tho bailiff for improper and irregular conduct, and commende i the Maoris for their forbearance. He concurred in counsel's remark that it was a wonder there was no bloodshed, and Baid the caso required further investigation.